Why was the Lavida Hatchback discontinued?
2 Answers
The Lavida Hatchback version has not been discontinued. The current Lavida Hatchback is based on the 2019 Lavida Plus. However, due to the model's relatively poor sales, many 4S stores currently do not have it in stock, which is the reason why the Lavida Hatchback is hard to find. If you want to purchase this model, you can buy it at a 4S store, but you may have to wait for the manufacturer to produce and deliver it to the store, which could take about a month. Here are some related details: 1. Lavida Hatchback: In addition to the sedan version, the Lavida also offers a hatchback variant. Some people refer to this hatchback version as the Lavida Hatchback, while others call it the Gran Lavida. Strictly speaking, the Lavida Hatchback and the Gran Lavida are two different models, but the current accurate name should be the Lavida Hatchback. 2. Gran Lavida: The Gran Lavida was launched in 2013 and was based on the second-generation Lavida sedan, modified into a hatchback. Apart from the body structure, its exterior, interior, chassis, and powertrain were identical to the sedan version. Volkswagen introduced the Gran Lavida to test the waters of China's wagon market. However, the wagon market in China is not as prosperous as it is abroad. Chinese consumers are not particularly fond of this "no-tail" model, even though it offers better space than the sedan version. 3. Model Update: In 2018, the Lavida underwent a generational update, and the Gran Lavida was also updated. This generation of the model no longer appeared as a separate Gran Lavida series but was rebranded as the Lavida Hatchback.
Let me share my personal observations on the discontinuation of the Lavida hatchback. As an ordinary car owner who has driven Volkswagen vehicles for many years, I can see why the Lavida sedan version sells so well—it offers practical and spacious interiors. The hatchback version? Its sales have never matched up, with lower market acceptance. Nowadays, SUVs are so popular; everyone loves those taller vehicles, finding them more comfortable and offering greater utility space. Hatchback models, in contrast, seem awkward, catering to a niche market that can't sustain them. Volkswagen has to consider its overall strategy—streamlining the product line and allocating resources to best-selling SUVs or new models. Cost-effectiveness is also a major issue; maintaining production lines is expensive with little return. I've seen some data reports showing dismal hatchback sales in certain regions, far below even a quarter of sedan sales. Given this trend, discontinuation makes perfect sense. The brand must also keep up with the times, focusing efforts on electric transformation, like the more practical ID series. In short, as someone who's experienced it firsthand, I find it a bit regrettable, but the market is all about survival of the fittest.
